News Release | Virginians for Safe Communities

Crime victims in Fairfax County called upon Governor Glenn Youngkin and Attorney General Jason Miyares to exercise their powers to initiate an investigation into misconduct by the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County, Steve Descano.

The letter asks that Youngkin and Miyares launch the inquiry into Descano’s handling of victims’ rights and any other neglect of duty, abuse of office, or criminal actions by the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney (OCA).

The letter concludes:  “We ask that [Governor Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares] immediately exercise your official powers to investigate misconduct by the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County. The Commonwealth’s citizens deserve safety, justice, and the truth.”

The letter follows the release of the Special Grand Jury’s report in the Loudoun County Public Schools case. Youngkin’s Executive Order No. 4 specifically directed Miyares to investigate that matter, and the Grand Jury’s authority was upheld by the Virginia Supreme Court in September 2022.

The letter co-signed by two victims of high-profile crimes in Fairfax, Mr. John English and Ms. Jenna Kuhn, addressed the governor and attorney general and requested they use their statutorily-granted (and court affirmed) powers to investigate the Fairfax County prosecutor’s office.

• In July 2022, Mr. English and his family were victims of a home invasion by a man who attacked Mr. English before he was driven off. The perpetrator was released – despite the English family’s protests that they were in fear for their life. (The case remains pending). [See WJLA’s coverage here] 
• In November 2021, a man who was upset he couldn’t bring small children in the Herndon bar Sully’s Pour House, returned with a firearm and fired into the crowded bar through the door. The bullet missed employees and the hundreds of gathered patrons by inches. On November 29, 2022, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office gave the accused shooter a plea deal on the seven felony counts, reducing them to one misdemeanor on “deferred judgement” basis [i.e. probation before sentencing”]. Before the latest hearing, the assigned prosecutor, Robert Tyler Bezilla, told the bar’s owner Jenna Kuhn that since “no one died, no one was hurt…it’s not really that big of a deal” and that the shooter could lose his commercial driver’s license if convicted of a felony. Following media inquiries, Descano told the Kuhns that the deal was being reviewed and Mr. Bezilla has announced his resignation. [See Fox5DC’s coverage here and here]

McClean Homeowner Mr. English said:
“We suffered a horrific home invasion by a person who was looming to do harm to our family in July of 2022. A fight for the lives of my family ensued which resulted in a brutal crime scene of blood and damage throughout our home. The OCA allowed bail of $1000 with no tracking device for the criminal As a victim, whose family’s lives were in danger, something must be done to ensure violent criminals who attack citizens to maim and harm are removed from society. The Office of Commonwealth Attorney is for victims of crimes, it is not an office to be exploited to set social policy. Victims in Fairfax County are not being advocated for.”

Restaurant Owners Jenna and Basil Kuhn said:
“Steve Descano’s office has shown more concern for those who commit crimes than those who are victimized. At first, when we were told by the Fairfax County prosecutors that a man shooting into my business was “not really a big deal” because miraculously none of our customers or employees were killed, we were appalled. But now it’s becoming clear that Descano regularly violates the rights of victims because he thinks we won’t fight back. He’s wrong, more and more victims like us aren’t going to take it anymore – we are standing up and together against these injustices. Governor Youngkin and Attorney General Miyares should help us uncover how and how many victims have been trampled over by Steve Descano.”

Sean Kennedy, president of Virginians for Safe Communities said:
“Descano’s actions show utter disregard for both victims and the Rule of Law. He has abdicated his responsibility to uphold the laws of the Commonwealth and protect and respect victims’ rights. The Governor and Attorney General not only have the right to investigate, they have the moral obligation to do so.”  

Virginians for Safe Communities conducts research, analysis, and advocacy to inform Virginians about how criminal justice and public safety policies impact their communities.